Europe | Destination Guides

21 best places in the world to celebrate New Year’s

New Year’s Eve is a time to say goodbye to old habits and hello to sequined outfits! Forget your same-old sofa countdown and lukewarm champagne, and instead ring in the new year in an unforgettable way. From beach blowouts in Rio to lantern-lit skies in Chiang Mai, these are the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve around the world. Grab your party hat and dancing shoes – here’s where to celebrate.

1. New York City, USA

Ring in the New Year at Times Square, where that iconic ball drop – a tradition since 1907 –  attracts millions from around the globe. NYE in NYC is a bucket list experience, and you’ll feel positive vibes bringing in 2025 as confetti showers the crowd and fireworks shows light up Central Park! You’ll have to arrive at Times Square in the early afternoon to claim your spot, so if that sounds too icy organise a table at a nearby rooftop bar. 

2. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Copacabana Beach with the beats of samba music, dazzling fireworks, and all-white attire. Here around two million people descend on the huge beach, all wearing white for good luck. The Brazilian celebration is called Réveillon, which blends religious, traditional, and superstitious beliefs. Locals make little offerings to Lemanjá, the goddess of the sea, with tiny rafts.

READ MORE: Cultural New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world 

3. Edinburgh, Scotland

Hogmanay is a three- or four-day festival to bid farewell to 2024 and bring in the new year. Moody torchlight processions, live music, and famous street parties turn the Scottish capital in a unique place to celebrate NYE. The fun kicks off with a torchlight parade on December 29, and you might catch other traditional Scottish celebrations like ceilidh dancing and fireworks over Edinburgh Castle.

4. Sydney, Australia

Experience New Year's Eve in Sydney, where you can witness the spectacular fireworks display that kicks off the celebrations for the holiday.
Experience New Year’s Eve in Sydney, where you can witness the spectacular fireworks display that kicks off the celebrations for the holiday.

Sydney’s fireworks are among the first major displays globally, thanks to Australia’s timezone. Apparently more than 400 million people around the globe watch the display on television as fireworks displays launch from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Get close to the action of NYE with harbor dinner cruises or rooftop parties, or venture down to one the waterfront gardens for prime views.

5. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is famous for having a great nightlife scene, so it’s one of the best places to go for New Year’s Eve when the revelry turns up a notch. Celebrate the incoming year with rooftop dining overlooking the Chao Phraya River, vibrant fireworks, and river cruises. The city’s bustling streets all turn into endless parties with traditional cultural festivities and modern fun. For something different, Nagaraphirom Park is a beautiful spot where you can see fireworks explode to the backdrop of the Wat Arun temple.

READ MORE: Exploring the history behind New Year’s Resolutions 

6. Paris, France

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the romantic City of Light with fireworks illuminating the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River. Join the crowds on the Champs-Élysées as it transforms into a buzzing promenade with light shows and revelers. Or for a more relaxed and romantic evening, board a cruise on the Seine River to take it all in, or organize a chic New Year’s Eve dinner at an elegant Parisian restaurant.

7. Las Vegas, USA

The Vegas Strip is a party every night of the year, so unsurprisingly it’s one of the best places to celebrate New Year’s if you like to go wild. Las Vegas is a big party place with fireworks launching from casino rooftops, clubs hosting world-class DJs, plus themed parties and lavish dinners rounding it out. 

8. Kiritimati, Kiribati

Never heard of Kiritimati? It’s a tiny atoll in the Pacific Ocean right next to the international date line. If you want to be among the first to greet the New Year, you have to be on Kiritimati – the easternmost island in the world. The tranquil island, which is not easy to each, pouts on local cultural performances, beach bonfires, and community gatherings.

9. Québec City, Canada

Québec City turns into a snowy wonderland with festive street parties and outdoor concerts at Grande Allée. Fireworks over the St. Lawrence River add to the charm, while the cozy Old Town provides a fairytale-like setting for a more relaxed celebration.

10. London, UK

London Eye hosts spectacular fireworks display on New Year's Eve, showcasing a breathtaking celebration.
London Eye hosts spectacular fireworks display on New Year’s Eve, showcasing a breathtaking celebration.

Big cities like London, Paris and New York are always among the best places to celebrate New Year’s. In the British capital you’ll catch plenty of pyrotechnics over the River Thames and around the city’s famous landmarks like the London Eye and Big Ben. It’s a dynamic city where you can spend your evening at rooftop venues, aboard boat cruises, or listen to live music into the wee hours of next year.

READ MORE: 6 of the Best Cities to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Europe 

11. Cape Town, South Africa

The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town hosts a dazzling New Year’s celebration with live music, cultural performances, and fun carnival themes. The midnight fireworks display over Table Mountain and the harbor will stay with you long after the pyrotechnics are over! Cape Town has an amazing food scene too. Join the delicious fun at a rooftop bar or dance the night away under the stars as it’s a summer night in the southern hemisphere.

12. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Street parties, tango music, and fireworks combine on New Year’s Eve in Buenos Aires. Locals begin the night with family dinners, then they’ll head to the city’s clubs or Puerto Madero waterfront for the celebrations. Dancing in the streets continues well into the early hours of the New Year!

13. Berlin, Germany

In buzzing Berlin the famous Brandenburg Gate transforms into a vibrant party hub with live bands, DJs, and an impressive fireworks display at midnight. You’ll need to secure tickets for this outdoor, open-air festival – but the music will be good so dancing will keep you warm! If you prefer to be indoors, there’s always Berlin’s legendary club scene with very cool New Year’s Eve events. Berliners know how to party!

14. Dubai, UAE

Dubai dazzles the world at NYE with record-breaking fireworks launching from the Burj Khalifa and other iconic landmarks. For those that prefer the finer things in life, Dubai is one of the best places to celebrate New Year’s. Here you’ll find a long list of luxurious hotels glamorous rooftop bars.

15. Madrid, Spain

Madrid’s Puerta del Sol becomes the heart of New Year’s Eve festivities. This is a great family-friendly NYE as you can join locals in the “12 grapes” tradition, eating one grape with each chime of the clock to ensure good luck for the year ahead. 

READ MORE: Surprising New Year’s Traditions around the World 

16. Reykjavik, Iceland

Another family-friendly NYE is in the Icelandic capital where the locals come together for a community event. It’s thought that some 500 tons of fireworks go off at midnight, all purchased and launched by the locals. At around 10.30pm on December 31 locals gather around the television to watch a comedy retrospective of the year’s highlights. Then from 11.30pm they start launching fireworks! From there, people hit the clubs and dance the night away.

17. Vienna, Austria

Vienna is one of Europe’s most elegant cities, so its New Year’s celebrations follow suit. You could attend the New Year’s Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic, or enjoy traditional balls in grand venues that take you back in time. Even if you join the more rustic street parties, you’ll be outdoor waltzing under fireworks.

18. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is one of the best places to celebrate New Year's

In Chiang Mai, the highlight of New Year’s Eve is the release of thousands of glowing paper lanterns into the night sky. This act is a symbolic gesture for good fortune, and besides the magical launch there will be traditional music, fireworks, and street markets.

19. Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown is one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand to raise your glass with a midnight champagne toast! If you fly to the South Island, you’ll be one of the first to ring in the New Year, so you can call your family back home and tell them what 2025 is really like! Here revelers gather at Lake Wakatipu for midnight fireworks, surrounded by the majestic mountains and surreal landscapes.

20. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo has unique cultural traditions that make it one of the most interesting and best places to spend New Year’s Eve. Hatsumode is a tradition of visiting the first Shinto or Buddhist shrine in the new year – usually in the first few days of the next year. Locals gather to pray for good fortune, ward off bad omens, and welcome a fresh start. Have fun with countdown events at iconic spots like Shibuya Crossing or Tokyo Tower. Then visit Tokyo’s Meiji Jingu Shrine to drink a sake, reflect on the year, and hear the bells toll.

21. Goa, India

Goa is famous for its beach parties, where bonfires, live DJs, and vibrant fireworks light up the tropical coastline. You can join the celebrations at upscale resorts or the lively public beaches. There are some crazy parties, fun cruises, and plenty of color.

That’s our list of the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Is there anywhere that we missed? Leave us a comment….

Want to hear more from us?

Sign up to receive inspiring travel articles, offers & news

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title